Aaron Judge’s previous three record appearances led to three strikes. But when he stepped on the plate on the ninth inning Thursday, it didn’t matter.
All he needed was a big swing – with the binders and launch runners on board – to turn an unforgettable night into an unforgettable one.
“I knew that this was my time to forget the past and make it big for my teammates,” Judge said on a zoom call from Baltimore. “You counted on me. It’s a time when you have to do the job. “
The judge got through well, assuring the Yankees an 18th consecutive win over the Orioles after an early lead of five runs. His second homer of the year and second in just as many days drove the Yankees to an 8: 6 win at Camden Yards, which ended a bizarre road trip to the season opening with four wins in five games.
After Jonathan Loaisiga coughed up the lead at the end of eighth place and Pedro Severino allowed a two-run shot, the Yankees’ long streak against the Orioles was doubtful. But after Gio Urshela got a head start and DJ LeMahieu scored with a hit on the opposite field, Judge finally gave the Yankees the lead by refusing a 2-1 offer from Cole Sulser and sending it back to the empty spots on the left.
“I had a good look at the basic hit of DJ in the right field. I somehow pulled off a lot of parking spaces and didn’t really get through in the middle of the field, ”said Judge. “Somehow a nice swing from DJ locked me in. I just had to make it big.”
The Yankees are now returning home to open a three-game streak in the Bronx against rival Red Sox, who has won three consecutive times. Two competitions against the Phillies have been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. No fans will be in the stadium on Friday night as the Yankees open their home schedule for 30 games, just another layer of this strange shortened season.
“We are looking forward to it. This team likes to play in New York, so we’re happy about it, ”said Judge. “It will definitely be different, Yankee home opener without fans. It’s one thing that I look forward to every year that this place rocks for us on the opening day. Everything is so special during the intros.
“It will definitely be different, but we’re just looking forward to sleeping in our own beds and being at home.”
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